realme 9 5G review

The Realme 9 5G Global Edition is a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch with its features and design. The device boasts a stunning Ripples Holographic design on the back, inspired by a desert ripple effect, which looks absolutely gorgeous. This edition of the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 695 processor, offering a higher 120Hz refresh rate resolution, boosted touch sampling, and additional extras compared to its standard version. The Realme 9 5G Global Edition comes with a 6.6-inch IPS display that supports automatic refresh rates and has a peak brightness of 600 nits. The phone's camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary lens, a portrait lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens, but video capture is limited to 1080 at 30fps. In terms of performance, the phone delivers decent mid-range performance with a benchmark score of 352k, ranking it as one of the top-performing smartphones in its category. The Realme 9 5G Global Edition also has a large 5000mAh battery that can last up to two days, but charges slowly at 18 watts. While the phone's camera experience is not great and video capture is limited, it excels in other areas, such as gaming performance with its Snapdragon 695 processor. The Realme 9 5G Global Edition offers good value for money and is a solid option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with advanced features. Overall, the Realme 9 5G Global Edition is a well-rounded device that succeeds in providing an excellent user experience despite some limitations. Its sleek design, decent performance, and impressive battery life make it a strong contender in the mid-range market.

Build Quality and Design

The Realme 9 5G is an impressive smartphone that boasts a premium build quality and design, despite being a budget-friendly device. The moment I unboxed the phone, I was struck by its sleek and slim profile. Measuring just 8.5mm in thickness and weighing only 191 grams, this phone feels incredibly light and comfortable to hold. The design of the Realme 9 5G is truly stunning, with a unique Ripple Holographic finish that shimmers in the light. The color I have here, Stargaze White, is particularly eye-catching, with a mesmerizing iridescent effect that seems almost otherworldly. Realme has clearly put a lot of effort into crafting this design, using advanced UV technology to achieve the desired look. The phone's build quality is equally impressive, with a solid and sturdy construction that exudes premium-ness. The glass on top feels smooth and resistant to scratches, while the metal frame provides additional structural support. Even the SIM tray, which can be easily removed for swapping out cards or adding a microSD card, feels robust and well-engineered. The Realme 9 5G's design is not just aesthetically pleasing; it also boasts some practical features. The phone has a headphone jack, a feature that many budget smartphones have abandoned in favor of wireless audio. Additionally, the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, making it quick and easy to unlock the device. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Realme 9 5G's build quality and design. It's clear that Realme has put thought and care into crafting a phone that not only looks great but also feels premium in the hand.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 5G Global Edition boasts an impressive 5000mAh battery, which is certainly enough to last a day and a half with moderate use. In my testing, I found that the battery life was indeed quite good, lasting around two days depending on usage patterns. However, there's one notable drawback - the slow 18W charging speed, which takes approximately 95 minutes to fully charge the battery from zero to 100%. This is slightly disappointing, especially considering the large battery capacity. Nevertheless, the phone still manages to provide a decent amount of power reserve even after a day of heavy usage. While it's not the fastest charger on the market, the inclusion of a fast charging brick in the box is a nice touch. The Realme 9 5G Global Edition's battery life is certainly one of its standout features, and with proper care, it should be able to handle daily demands without any issues.

Display

The display on the Realme 9 5G is a standout feature of this budget smartphone. The 6.6-inch IPS display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, making it smooth and responsive to navigate through menus and scroll through content. One of the notable aspects of the display is its support for automatic refresh rates. This means that the phone can adjust the refresh rate based on what you're doing - whether it's gaming, watching videos, or browsing the web. This feature ensures that the screen looks great in all situations, without consuming excessive battery life. The screen resolution is a respectable 2412 x 1080 pixels, which translates to full HD+ quality. The peak brightness of 600 nits is a bit low compared to some other smartphones on the market, but it's still sufficient for everyday use. In terms of visibility, the display holds up well in bright conditions. While it may not be as visible in direct sunlight as some higher-end displays, it's still easy to read and navigate through menus even outdoors. The 2.5D curved glass adds a touch of elegance to the phone, and the 400 pixels per inch density ensures crisp visuals. Overall, the display on the Realme 9 5G is more than capable of handling general use cases, making it an excellent value for its price point. While there are some minor drawbacks to the display, such as a lower peak brightness, it's still a solid performer that won't let you down in everyday situations. If you're in the market for a budget smartphone with a great display, the Realme 9 5G is definitely worth considering.

Camera

The Realme 9 5G Global Edition has been making waves in the budget smartphone market, and one of its standout features is its camera system. In this review, we'll take a closer look at what the Realme 9 5G's cameras have to offer. The Realme 9 5G boasts a triple camera setup on its rear, with a 50-megapixel primary lens taking center stage. This sensor is capable of capturing excellent photos in good lighting conditions, with plenty of detail and texture. However, low-light shots are where the camera struggles, with noticeable noise and a lack of clarity. The portrait mode on the Realme 9 5G's primary lens is decent, but not outstanding. Edges can be soft, and background blur sometimes falls short. This said, it still gets the job done for casual snaps, especially in good lighting conditions. A 2-megapixel macro lens rounds out the camera setup on the Realme 9 5G. While not as capable as some of its competitors, this sensor still manages to capture decent close-up shots with plenty of detail. However, it's worth noting that the quality can be inconsistent at times. The 16-megapixel selfie camera on the front is a step up from the rear cameras in terms of image quality. Photos are well-detailed and vibrant, making for great social media snaps or self-portraits. Unfortunately, video capture on the Realme 9 5G is where its cameras fall short. Limited to 1080p at 30fps, videos can be shaky and lacking in detail. This said, it's still acceptable for casual vlogging or quick snippets. While not the strongest camera system in the budget smartphone market, the Realme 9 5G's triple camera setup still has its strengths. Good lighting conditions see plenty of detail and texture, while portrait mode is decent but sometimes inconsistent. Low-light shots and video capture are areas where improvement is needed. Overall, the Realme 9 5G's cameras offer acceptable value for money in the budget smartphone segment.

Price and Value

The Realme 9 5G Global Edition is an interesting offering in the budget smartphone market. Priced around a certain range, this device promises to deliver decent performance, a good display, and a solid camera setup. One of the standout features of this phone is its design. The Ripple Holographic design on the back looks stunning, with multiple layers of coating giving it a unique effect. The 6.6-inch IPS display also deserves praise, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and automatic refresh rates for optimal performance. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 695 chipset powers this device, providing smooth performance and efficient battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery on board, users can expect to get two days of usage, although slow 18W charging might be a turn-off for some. Speaking of cameras, the Realme 9 5G Global Edition features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary lens. While it performs reasonably well in good lighting conditions, low-light shots are noisy and video capture is limited to 1080p at 30fps. Selfie camera enthusiasts will appreciate the 16MP front sensor. In terms of value, this device offers an impressive package considering its price. The inclusion of a USB-C cable, fast charger, and silicone case adds to the overall value proposition. However, some compromises have been made to keep costs in check, such as the single bottom-firing speaker and lackluster video stabilization. Overall, the Realme 9 5G Global Edition provides decent value for its price. While it may not be the best budget smartphone on the market, its strengths make it a compelling option for those seeking an affordable device with good performance and features. As such, I would give this phone a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Performance

The Realme 9 5G Global Edition is powered by the Snapdragon 695 chip, a 6nm octa-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz. In my testing, this phone delivered decent mid-range performance, with an AnTuTu benchmark score of 352k. This score places it in a respectable position among its peers. Gaming performance was another strong point for the Realme 9 5G Global Edition. The Snapdragon 695 chip, combined with the Adreno 619 GPU, provided a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. I was able to play demanding games like Cod Mobile on high graphics settings without any issues. The option to switch to maximum frame rate was also appreciated. However, it's worth noting that this phone doesn't quite match the performance of some other mid-range devices in its class. Still, for a budget smartphone, the Realme 9 5G Global Edition delivers respectable performance that should satisfy most users' needs. In comparison to other phones on my benchmark charts, the Realme 9 5G Global Edition ranks at position with a score of 352k. This is not bad, considering its price point and specifications. Overall, while the Realme 9 5G Global Edition's performance may not blow you away, it still offers decent value for its price. If you're in the market for a budget smartphone that can handle general use cases and some light gaming, this phone should definitely be on your radar.

Pros

1. The phone's design is stunning, with a unique Ripple Holographic effect on the back that looks gorgeous.

2. It has a slim and light build, weighing only 191 grams and measuring just 8.5mm in thickness.

3. The display is good enough for general use, with a 6.6-inch IPS screen featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and automatic refresh rates.

4. The phone's performance is decent, powered by the Snapdragon 695 chip and backed up by a 5000mAh battery that can last up to two days on a single charge.

5. It has a high-quality camera setup, with a 50MP primary sensor and support for 1080p video recording at 30fps.

6. The phone supports NFC and has a headphone jack, which is a rare feature in budget smartphones.

7. The Realme 9 5G offers great value for its price, making it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.

Cons

1. The camera experience is not great, with low light shots being noisy and video stabilization being poor.

2. The phone's charging speed is slow, taking around 95 minutes to fully charge the battery from zero to 100%

3. The front speaker is single-bottom firing, which can result in muffled sound if the bottom of the phone is blocked.

4. The peak brightness of the display is only 600 nits, making it difficult to use outdoors in bright sunlight.

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